Two numbers decide how a tissue feels, performs and costs: GSM and ply. If you buy tissue for a distributorship, a hotel, a restaurant chain or an office, knowing them lets you compare quotes properly and specify exactly what you want.
GSM: the weight of the sheet
GSM is grams per square metre: the weight of one square metre of a single ply. Higher GSM means a thicker, stronger, more absorbent sheet and more fibre per packet, which is why it also costs more. Tissue is a light paper: most tissue plies sit between 12 and 25 GSM, compared with 70 to 80 GSM for ordinary office paper.
Ply: how many sheets are bonded together
Ply is the number of layers in the finished sheet. A 2-ply tissue made from two 15 GSM plies is bulkier and softer than a single 30 GSM ply would be, because the air between the layers adds softness and absorbency. 1-ply is the economical choice for high-volume use; 2-ply is the premium choice for hotels, premium retail and offices.
Typical ranges by product
| Product | Typical GSM per ply | Typical ply | What matters most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial / soft tissue | 12–16 | 1 or 2 | Softness, consistency |
| Hard tissue (counter packets) | 14–18 | 1 | Strength, absorbency |
| Napkins | 14–18 | 1 or 2 | Fold, emboss, print quality |
| Kitchen rolls | 18–25 | 1 or 2 | Wet strength, absorbency |
| Jumbo / parent reels | 15–30 | 1 (converted later) | GSM accuracy, reel width |
GramBask makes napkins from 14 to 18 GSM and supplies jumbo reels from 15 to 30 GSM in custom widths.
Virgin, recycled and bamboo fibre
Virgin wood pulp gives the softest, whitest and strongest sheet and is the standard for facial tissue and napkins. Recycled fibre is cheaper but shorter and weaker, so it is used for low-grade towel rather than facial tissue. Bamboo fibre is virgin fibre from a fast-growing grass rather than a tree; it makes a soft, biodegradable sheet and is the basis of our bamboo tissue range.
How to specify tissue in a quote request
- Product and format: packet, box, roll, napkin or reel.
- Ply and GSM per ply, or the brand and product you use today so the manufacturer can match it.
- Sheet size or napkin size and fold; roll length or sheet count for rolls.
- Sheets per packet and packets per case.
- Plain or printed, and whether you want your own brand.
- Monthly volume and delivery location.
With those six lines a manufacturer can quote accurately in one pass. Send yours through the quote form and we reply within one working day.
Quick answers
Is higher GSM always better?
No. Higher GSM is stronger and more absorbent but costs more and can feel stiffer. Match GSM to the use: lower for facial softness, higher for kitchen towel.
What GSM is a standard paper napkin?
Most restaurant napkins are 14 to 18 GSM per ply in 1-ply or 2-ply.
What does 2-ply 15 GSM mean?
Two plies, each weighing 15 grams per square metre, bonded together for a total of about 30 GSM with the softness of two layers.
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